A RELIGIOUS leader in Wokingham, representing the Christian Church, has said his "heart goes out" to all the armed forced involved in the "illegal" war.

A RELIGIOUS leader in Wokingham, representing the Christian Church, has said his "heart goes out" to all the armed forced involved in the "illegal" war.

Revd David Hodgson, Rector of All Saints Church, said that he supported all the armed forces in the war "as professional soldiers, sailors and airmen and women" under orders.

But he made crystal clear his belief that there was no moral basis for the war and that it was illegal under international law.

Speaking just before the daily prayer sessions held at 1pm in All Saints' Church, Revd Hodgson, said: "First, my heart really goes out to the soldiers, sailors and airmen and women and all the troops who are involved.

"I want to pay tribute to them because we here at home, living our normal lives, have no idea of what they are going through.

"It is important to know that they have been sent out to do this job by Parliament and will want to see this war ended as we all do.

"But at the same time I also say as a Christian leader I don't think we should be there anyway and we should not have been in the position in the first place.

"The war is in essence illegal under international law.

"Our soldiers are working under the lawful authority of our own government but the government is not acting under international law.

"I have been trying to explain to children in school assemblies in the district, in a way that isn't going to frighten them, about the war.

"But it is very difficult and the more simple the language used the clearer it is that the situation is wrong.

"There is no support for the terrible and disgusting regime of Saddam Hussein, but there have been many which have not prompted military action.

"The war is about the strategic objectives of the US and not an attack on Muslims."

Now that we are committed, MP for Wokingham John Redwood, wants the war to be over with "minimum of damage" on both sides, but thinks it is proving to be more difficult than first thought.

"My heart goes out to all the families of the soldiers."

He is supporting the war but is pleased that protests are continuing around the country as a mark of a democratic society.

"I am delighted that we live in a democratic country. They have every right to voice their opinion freely. It certainly doesn't make me angry because I am a democrat and that is what we believe in."

Mr Redwood feels media coverage has been sensationalised but is holding back criticism until after the war has ended.

"It must be awful watching television thinking is that my son's platoon?"

But Mr Redwood feels the Wokingham people's outlook on the war has shifted, he said: "The mood has definitely changed in the constituency. I was getting many more e-mails against the war and now there is definitely a heartening of support that we should get on with it.

MP for Bracknell Andrew MacKay paid tribute to all the soldiers currently fighting in the Gulf.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the brave men and women fighting for us in Iraq and particularly their loved ones anxiously waiting at home for news.

"The awful truth is that no one is safe and sadly there will always be innocent casualties which have so far been small but we all pray this will continue.

"I also hope that very shortly aid can be brought into Iraq through the Umm Qasr as the humanitarian support will be much needed."

He believes there is a danger that televising the war might trivialise the event.

"I think there is an important job to be done by the media and the reports on the ground show great courage and in one case has died.

"But I also think it is important that the broadcasting companies do not trivialise the war and make it into a Hollywood production."